Many played before the patches fixed the gameplay, some can't seem to get the mechanics and as a result didn't like it
Many people seemed to have a hard time with the honor and health systems and as a result didnt like the game. When something is challenging that does not make it a bad game. If you learn to balance the right food and tax rates for example, you can make your can wring every last ounce of productivity out of your peasants while keeping them happy at the same time.
Also some reviewers complained of the battles being little more than throwing your troops at enemy walls and watching them be slaughtered. I don't really know how to address that other than to say there is a ton of different siege engines etc to assist in assaulting castles....
This is meant really as a rebuttal because of my suprise at some of the other player reviews I read about this game. It was definitely released too early but those problems were subsequently fixed in patches. And while challenging, I definitely wouldn't call the gameplay too hard or unforgiving. I mean, did anyone try Stronghold Crusaders Extreme?
Lastly, I would just like to mention that I truly lament the fact that I never got to play this online with anyone. I think it would be an absolute blast in like a 2v2 game.